They have been described as a Tardis, hiding a deceptively decent space for students to live while they attend university in Falmouth.

There is currently a chance to take a look inside a prototype refurbished shipping container which one company is proposing as part of a student housing scheme in Penryn – believed to be the first of its kind in the UK for students.

Irregular Cornwall want to put the containers at the former Home Shed site at Kernick to house 264 students, along with a swimming pool and gym, health centre, business units and innovation hubs.

A container is currently doing a tour for people to see just what they will be like. It was at the Home Shed site on Friday and will then be at the Penryn university campus until September 29 and open daily from 10am until 4pm.

Irregular Cornwall show off their prototype student shipping container accommodation on show at the former Homeshed site in Penryn. Pictured is project manager Andy Cook. (Image: Sally Adams)

The company said it will be refining the design based on the feedback given.

The container on display is described as a retired, well-travelled, seven-year-old unit manufactured in China and found in a field in Cornwall.

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A spokesman said: “We have fitted out the inside to demonstrate how it can be used to provide affordable accommodation whilst still showing the scars of it’s life at sea.

“When we move forward to build out the Irregular scheme we will be using containers which have only made one journey from the Far East and there is quite a stockpile building in the UK, which needs recycling.

“We hope you enjoy viewing the prototype and seeing the potential of regeneration we can bring to our Brownfield site.”

Irregular Cornwall show off their prototype student shipping container accommodation on show at the former Homeshed site in Penryn. (Image: Sally Adams)

The feedback from the hundreds of people who have already taken the opportunity to take a peek inside has been positive, from students to local pensioners.

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The spokesman said: “Most students like getting out and about, they can study in communal space, there is a nice leisure space.

“They are like show homes, beautiful and feel luxurious. Looking from the outside they don’t. About 95 % of people who have visited supported it.

“We were quite surprised. We thought younger people would like them as they are quirky and unusual, but older people do too.”

Project manager Andy Cook inside the unit. (Image: Sally Adams)

The student units are part of a larger masterplan which suggests the use of the site for up to 780 student and private sector rented housing, student facilities including a café/bar and gym, a medical centre to rehouse Penryn Surgery and pharmacy, 30,000sqft of commercial space, 29,000sqft retail space and parking.